Rome (CNN) -- At least eight people were killed in a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in northern Italy on Tuesday, civil protection authorities said, predicting the number would rise.

The earthquake came nine days after a 6.0-magnitude quake in the same region killed seven people (http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/21/world/europe/italy-earthquake/index.html).

Tuesday's quake was followed by several aftershocks. Italy's Institute of Geology said the aftershocks measured 5.3 and 5.1 magnitude. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded one aftershock at 5.6 magnitude just before 1 p.m. local time.

Tuesday's earthquake was centered in the province of Modena, near Bologna. The towns of Mirandola and Cavezzo were closest to the epicenter, civil protection authorities said.